Dispenser cap

ABSTRACT

A dispenser cap for a container such as a jar, can, bottle or like receptacle containing a pourable material. The cap per se incorporates structure for dispensing measured quantities of material from the container and includes a control member settable for quantity selection purposes.

United States Patent [1511 Slayton et al. 1! Oct. 3, 1972 54] DISPENSERCAP 2,898,010 8/1959 Tepper .....222/37o x [72] Inventors; Jack E,Slayton, 5795 Rosebury Dr 3,018,924 Reed X Dayton, Ohio 45424; Eugene F.Whipp, 7704 Little Richmond, Dayton, Ohio 45427 Filed: Oct. 19, 1970Appl. No.: 81,880

US. Cl. ..222/430, 222/42, 222/452 Int. Cl ..G0lf 11/48 Field of Search..222/426, 427, 430, 436, 450, 222/45l, 452, 168.5, 367, 370, 305, 42,48; 221/263, 264, 265

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bode ..222/370 X A dispenser capfor a container such as a jar, can, bottle or like receptacle containinga pourable material.

The cap per se incorporates structure for dispensing measured quantitiesof material from the container and includes a control member settablefor quantity selection purposes.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEBama m2 3.695487 IN VEN TORS JACK E.SLAYTON EUGENE F. WHI P ATTORNEY DISPENSER CAP BACKGROUND THE INVENTION:

This invention relates to dispensing caps for mount on jars, bottles,cans and like containers to exert a degree of precision control over thecontained material to be dispensed. Although obviously not so limited,the invention will be described with special reference to the dispensingof food staples such as sugar, coffee or the like. Embodiments haveadvantage in that they enable one to better satisfy individual taste andavoid waste, and they have special utility where for dietary or recipepurposes it is desirable to dispense materials form their containers inuniform, measured amounts.

The problem in serving or dispensing food products or food ingredientsfrom their containers in accurately controlled amounts is widelyappreciated. As known, it has heretofore been met, in the main, by useof accessories separate from the container itself, that is by use ofmeasuring cups, spoons and the like. This is less than a desirablerecourse, particularly in dealing with fractional spoonfuls, for whichpurposes multiple spoons must be kept on hand. Moreover, accuratemeasurement may be important in connection with dispensing fromcontainers used away from the kitchen, such as at the dining table or ina restaurant where measuring spoons are not conveniently available.

A variety of dispensing caps have been previously proposed in an effortto ease the above noted problems. However, none have heretofore met thecriterion of simplicity of structure together with simple and easilymanipulated means for obtaining by way of a cap relatively precisequantities of a containers contents in variable controlled amounts.

To pinpoint the problems and highlight the benefit of the invention, letus consider, by way of example, the invention is applicable to instantcoffee jars, from which coffee is commonly dispensed by spoon. The

dispensing of uniformly accurate quantities in amounts desired hasproven difficult by this or any heretofore provided means, causing astrength and taste variation from cup to cup. The problem has beencompounded by variations in individual preferences as to strength sothat the serving of coffee according to taste has become at best anapproximation, with inconsistent and most frequently unsatisfactoryresults.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention provides a cap unit ordinarily applicable to acontainer such as a jar, bottle, can or the like, in replacement of theoriginal closure cap but which could be made a part of the originalcontainer, if desired. The invention structure comprises flow controlmeans enabling the dispensing or pouring of the container contents inmeasured quantities. Dial means forming part of the control is settableto dictate any one of a plurality of such quantities being dispensed atany one instant, and, at any selected setting, there will be dispensed asubstantially exact quantity as desired. In repeated uses there will bedispensed uniformly accurate portions of the container contents.

In a preferred embodiment here illustrated the dial means performs thedescribed selection process. In conjunction therewith there is a capelement which rotates on and relative to a basic capping element for thecontainers contents. The latter provide means for trapping within thecap structure a measured quantity of the related container contents inresponse to inverting of the container. The rotating cap element is apart which is relatively adjustable between Load and Dump positionswhereby a measured quantity may be trapped in the cap structure in onemotion and dispensed therefrom in a following motion.

While the cap unit is shown as a separable part of a container, it couldof course be formed integral therewith.

It is a. primary object of the invention to provide a dispenser capwhich is economical to fabricate, most efficient and satisfactory inuse, adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely tomalfunction.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a cap adapted tosimultaneously serveas a closure for a jar or other container and as ameans to dispense measured quantities of the container contents.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser cap for acontainer incorporating means selectively to vary quantities which maybe dispensed therethrough.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser cap havingrelatively movable parts for selection and dispensing of measuredquantities of a container contents while retaining a compact, unitaryform approximating that of a conventional closure cap.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser cap ofsimplified, inexpensive construction which may be supplied separately asa replacement cap or as an original element of a container unit such asa jar, bottle, can or the like.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a container cappossessing the advantageous structural features, the inherentmeritorious characteristics and the means and mode of operation hereindescribed.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fullyappear in the specification, the inven' tion intended to be protected byLetters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts andcombinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter describedor illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying. drawing wherein is shown one butobviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. I is a view in perspective of a cap in accordance with theillustrated embodiment of the invention, shown mounted on a jar;

FIG. 2 is a view of the cap in vertical cross section,

showing a fragment of the related jar;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views in horizontal section, taken substantially andrespectively along lines 3-3 and 4- 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4, with the dial member omitted, showing analternate position of adjustment of elements of the cap; and

FIG. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe several views.

Referring to the drawings, a cap unit in accordance with the illustratedembodiment of the invention includes a first cap member 10, the flatplanar part 11 of which is disc-like in shape and serves to bridge theopening from a jar-like container 20. The peripheral edge of part 11terminates in a downturned flange 12, the inner diameter of whichcorresponds to the external diameter of the mouth of the jar 20. Formedintegral with the inner surface of the flange 12 is a screw thread 13adapted to mate with a complementarily formed external screw thread onthe mouth of the jar. The outer surface of the flange 12 is providedwith corrugations 14 extending from top to bottom, providing a frictiongrip surface having obvious utility. Thus, in the example shown the capunit includes a basic cap member threadedly mounting in capping relationto a jar 20 containing a pourable, granular material.

It is here noted that while the member is shown as threaded to the jar20, any other frictional connection may be provided therebetween withoutdeparting from the concept of the invention.

Projecting axially upward of the center of the planar portion 11 of themember 10, in a direction opposite to the flange 12, is a stub shaft 15.The shaft 15 is shown integral with the member 10. However, it may beformed separately and adhesively fixed or otherwise integrated with thepart 11. Near its lower end, the stub shaft 15 has a radial recess 16. Aflexible spring finger 17 having one end installed in the recess 16, andbeing anchored thereby, extends outwardly of the shaft 15 in anoverlying substantially contacting, bearing, relation to the uppersurface of part 11.

The part 1 1 is also formed with a radially offset opening 18, at alocation generally opposite to that overlaid by spring finger 17. Theopening 18 is segmental in form, having approximately radially directedsides connected at their outer ends by a uniform curve and at theirinner ends by a straight line perpendicular to a radius of the part 11.Note from the drawings that the opening 18 is elongated in a radialsense to occupy a major part of the distance from the shaft 15 to theflange 12. It begins at a point spaced immediately outward of the shaftand terminates at its outer end just short of flange 12.

Further comprised in the cap unit is a: second cap member 19. The member19 has a generally annular configuration including a flat planar portion21 of disc-like form, the central aperture 24 of which accommodates theprojection therethrough of the shaft 15. The peripheral edge of theplanar portion 21 has formed integral therewith a cylindrical flange 22.A major extent of the flange 22 projects upwardly and a small portion 50thereof projects downwardly from the planar portion 21, in a senseperpendicular thereto, for purposes to be further described. Formed inthe portion 21 is a segmental opening 23 corresponding in position,configuration and size to the opening 18 in the member 10.

As noted, portion 21 has a central opening 24, creating the annularconfiguration of the member 19. The opening 24 has a diameter slightlyexceeding the external diameter of the shaft 15 and a circumferentialpart of the opening 24 is extended outwardly to form in the innerperiphery of portion 21 a substantially radial recess 25. See FIGS. 4and 5 in this respect. The recess 25 is formed with a straight orradially directed side 26 and a curved side 27 merging with the side 26in an apex 28.

In the flange portion 22 of member 19 is a through opening 29 ofappreciable circumferential extent. The

opening 29 is offset, in a circumferential sense, from opening 23.Attention is directed to FIG. 2 of the drawings wherein it may be seenthat in assembly of the cap unit, to be further described, planarportion 21 bearingly seats on the planar part 11 of the member 10 whilethe short dependent portion 50 depends about the outer surface of theflange 12, at its upper portion, in bearing relation thereto.

Still further comprised in the cap unit is a dial control member 31.This is constructed of a flat planar portion 32 of disc-like form havinga diameter substantially equalling that of the outer periphery of flange22 of member 19. In the center of portion 32 is a round opening 33having a diameter somewhat exceeding that of shaft 15. Superposed on theupper surface of portion 32 is an annular member 34 of relatively smalldiameter on the outer edge of which are vertical corrugations 35. Formedintegral with and projecting axially from the inner peripheral edge ofthe member 34 is a cylindrical bearing sleeve 36. The latter has anouter diameter substantially matching the diameter of opening 33. Itsinner diameter substantially matches the diameter of shaft 15 Annularmember 34 and bearing sleeve 36 are suitably integrated. As a matter offact, they may be made in one piece, as desired. The unitary structureso formed is in turn fixed to portion 32 so that a turning motionapplied to member 34 is effective simultaneously to rotate portion 32.The member 34 occupies a positionthat the outer peripheral portion ofits undersurface seats to the upper surface of portion 32 about theopening 33 while the sleeve 36 projects through and beyond the opening33 below the undersurface of portion 32.

A plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes 37 radiate, in a radialsense, from the sleeve 36 below the portion 32. At their inner ends, andat their upper edges, the vanes 37 are secured to the sleeve 36 and toportion 32 respectively. They are accordingly apart of a unitaryassembly comprising portion 32, member 34 and sleeve 36. At their outerends the vanes 37 terminate just short of the peripheral edge of portion32 to leave thereon a narrow, annular, peripherally projecting ledge 38.The vanes 37 are provided in sufficient number and spacing to define acircumferential series of pockets. In the illustrated instance fivevanes are arranged to form a series of four pockets 39-42 ofapproximately equal size. These occupy somewhat more than half the areaof the undersurface of portion 32 with the remainder being representedby an unused space 43. The size and therefore the effective volume ofpockets 39, 40 and 41 is reduced by respective inserts of varying sizedefining wall structures 44, 45 and 46 in the inner ends of therespective pockets. These inserts bridge adjacent vanes and have aheight to correspond to the vane height. The effective or useful volumeof the pockets 39, 40 and 41 is accordingly reduced to that unoccupiedby the pertaining insert. The wall structures 44, 45, 46 maybe definedby solid elements or elements formed by connected panels to provide theinserts. In either event, the inserts are fixed to and form a part ofthe dial assembly. As noted, they are of different size whereby todefine differential useful volumes in the respective pockets 39, 40 and41. The latter pockets provide spaces which are fractional parts of abasic volumetric capacity as defined by the pocket 42 which contains noblocking or filler insert means as do the pockets 39-41.

In the example shown, pocket 42 is designed to have a volumetriccapacity of one teaspoon, pocket 41 a capacity of three-fourths teaspoonand pockets 40 and 39 respective capacities of one-half and one-fourthteaspoon. It will be understood that in a manner such as illustrateddifferent basic and differently divided measures are made possible, allinaccordance with the number and spacing of vanes 37 and selection ofspace filling inserts positioned within the defined pockets.

The upper surface of dial portion 32 is inscribed or imprinted withinstructional and measure selection information. Spaced radial lines 47are placed generally to overlie the vanes 37 and between these thedesignations 1 Tsp., Tsp., /2 Tsp. and %.Tsp." are placed respectivelyto overlie pockets 42, 41, 40 and 39. Overlying the unused space 43, theupper surface of portion 32 is inscribed with operating instructions themeaning of which will more clearly appear from the description tofollow.

Note that on the exterior of flange 22 of member 19 there is inscribedor imprinted additional information. Below opening 29 is the word Dump.In circumferentially offset relation to the opening 29, and insubstantially embracing relation to opening 23 are vertical markings 48and within the bounds of such markings the word Load.

In the assembly of the cap unit, member 19, which provides a rotatablerim segment thereof, is positioned in aligned, inverse relation to capmember to seat its disc portion 21 to bear on disc portion 11 of capmember 10. In the process, the short dependent extremity 50 of flange 22extends about and in a relative bearing relation to the upper portion ofthe outer surface of flange 12. The flange portion 50, thus fits overthe cap member 10 to center member 19 in a vertically projected bearingrelation thereto. In the application of the member 19, it is rotativelyoriented to place recess 25 to accommodate the projection therein ofspring finger 17. Simultaneously shaft projects through opening 24. Asseen in FIG. 4, with the member 19 properly disposed, the spring fingeris normally positioned in abutting relation with the side 26 of therecess 25. At the time the tip of the spring finger l7 enters the apexportion 28 of the recess, it so exerts a resilient influence tendingyieldingly to maintain the member 19 in an annular position ofadjustment wherein opening 23 overlies and substantially registers withthe opening 18 in the cap member 10. After positioning of member 19 overshaft 15, dial member 31 is installed with its inscribed side uppermostand the vaned structure on its underside, whereby the latter may bereceived within the confines of the rim defined by the flange 22 ofmember 19. In application of the member 31, a relative approachingmotion of the parts is continued until the projecting ledge 38 onportion 32 seats on the upper edge of flange 22, at which time the loweredges of vanes 37 seat in substantially sliding, bearing, contact withplanar portion 21. The outer ends of the vanes position in substantiallysimilar bearing contact with the inner wall of flange 22. The severalvane defined pockets 39-42 are accordingly closed from communicationwith outside the cap unit, except to the extent they may, by adjustmentof their original position, be connected through open.- ing 18 and rimopening 29 in use of the cap unit. The sleeve 33 achieves a relativelyclose friction fit on shaft 15. The dial member accordingly does notslide off the shaft when the cap unit is inverted. The fit is that closethat it tends to frictionally'maintain rotative positions to which thedial may be set in reference to shaft 15.

In the example shown, in use of the cap unit it is mounted as a closurefor a jar 20 containing a material such as granular coffee 30 capable ofbeing dispensed by pouring. The basic connection of the cap unit, as isobvious, is through the cap member 10 having a friction connection toand mounting over the mouth of the jar. Accordingly, as the cap memberis applied, opening 18 provides, provided it is not blocked, a passagefrom the jar interior to the interior of the cap unit. In the firstinstance dial member 31 will be rotatively adjusted to locate a selectedmeasure indication at the Load position as represented on the side ofthe flange 22 providing the rim portion of member 19. With this done,therefore, a selected one of the pockets 39-42 corresponding to theselected measure indication will overlie opening 23 which in turn alignswith opening 18. The latter is enforced by the spring finger l7 nestingin the recess 25 of and resiliently positioning member 19 thereby. Thus,in a normal position of the respective parts of the cap unit, a selectedpocket is accordingly in communication with the jar interior. At thesame time, such selected pocket, while disposing in adjacent relation torim opening 29, is closed or effectively sealed therefrom by aninterposing vane 37. As seen in FIG. 4, with a selected pocket at theload position, a pair of adjacent vanes 37 will isolate the selectedpocket, restrictively communicating it with the jar interior through theopenings 18 and 23. Now, if the jar,

including the cap unit, is inverted, material within the jar will flowthrough openings 18 and 23 and fill the selected pocket. With the jarstill inverted, the rim pro vided by the flange on the member 19 may begiven an incremental turn leftward, with reference to the drawings, orin a direction clockwise of rotation as viewed in FIG. 1, to move member19, against the bias of spring 17, from a Load position as shown in FIG.4 to a Dump position shown in FIG. 5. In this manner opening 29 iscaused to align peripherally with the selected pocket. Also, in responseto such rotative adjustment of the member 19, opening 23 is displacedand the planar portion 21 of member 19 closes the opening 18. In theprocess there is trapped in the selected pocket a precise measurement ofthe previously admitted pourable material. The extent of the opening 29is such to bridge the outer ends of the pair of vanes 37 which definethe selected pocket to which the material has been introduced. Thetrapped material, representing a measured precise portion in accordancewith the setting of dial member 31, is now freed to be dumped from thecap unit, which action may be accomplished by a quick tipping motion ofthe held jar.

As noted, rotative adjustment of the member 19 from Load to Dumpposition stresses and stores energy in the spring finger 17 as thecurved side 27 of the recess 25 is caused to bear thereagainst. Oncedumping is achieved and the member 19 released, the finger 17 willutilize its stored energy to assist in returning the member 19 to itsnormal Load position.

In summary, in use of the cap unit, therefore, the jar or othercontainer is held and dial member 31 set for dispensing a desiredportion. Annular member 34 with its edge corrugated may be convenientlyused for this purpose to rotate the dial assembly on shaft 15. The jaris then inverted to fill the dialed pocket with the required portion.While the jar continues to be held inverted, member 19 is turned and insimultaneous actionsa measured portion of material from the container istrapped and a passageway (opening 29) is opened for the dispensing ofthe precisely measured trapped portion of the material for dispensingthereof laterally through the side of the cap unit. As the rim or flange22 of the 'member 19 continues to be held in a Dump position, the jar istipped to dispense the measured portion through the opening 29. Onrelease of the rim or flange 22, member 19 is returned automatically toLoad position and the structure accordingly conditioned for anotherdispensing sequence.

The interaction between spring finger l7 and the sides of recess 25effectively limits oscillatory motion of rim member 19 in use of theinvention device.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any off its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effectand the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. A dispenser cap unit, including a cap member constructed to close anopening from a container such as a jar, bottle, can or the like, saidcap member having an opening through which contents of the container maybe moved, a dial member rotatively adjustable on said cap member andhaving at its underside a plurality of pockets selectively aligned withthe opening in said cap member a selective relative rotation of saiddial member whereby on tipping said container the selected pocket may beloaded therefrom through said opening, other means interposed betweensaid cap member and said dial member rotatively operable to close theopening in said cap member and providing a discharge passage forchanneling from said cap unit the contents of a loaded pocket, saidinterposed means being rotatively adjustable simultaneously to trap aprecise portion of the contents of the container in a selected pocketand to expose the contents of the selected pocket to said dischargepassage, said interposed means including a peripheral rimming portionmounting the same on said cap member for oscillatory motion relative tosaid cap member and to said dial member, said interposed means providinga portion paralleling the top surface of said cap member and disposingintermediate said top surface and said pockets, said parallel portionhaving a load opening adapted to alternately align with and misalignwith the opening in said cap member under oscillatory rotativeadjustment of said interposed means, said interposed means furtherhaving in its rimming portion a dump opening forming said dischargepassage which is angularly displaced from the opening in said parallelportion and adapted to position in communicating relation with aselected pocket in alternating relation with said load opening.

2. A dispenser cap unit, including a portion constructed to close anopening from a container such as jar, bottle, can or the like, saidportion having an opening through which contents of the jar may bemoved, means mounting in connection with said portion providing aplurality of pockets selectively positioning to be loaded through saidopening, means operative to selectively close said opening by arotational adjustment thereof, and means defining a discharge passagefor channeling from said cap unit the contents of a loaded pocket, saidportion of saidcap unit being provided by a cap element including abridging portion having a top surface transverse to its central axisthrough which there is said opening for communicating said containercontents with the interior of said cap unit, said means operative toselectively close said opening by rotational adjustment being a secondcaplike element mounted on said first mentioned cap element and having abridging portion in adjacent parallel relation to the said top surfaceof said first mentioned cap element and an upstanding flangeperipherally thereof, there being a trough opening in said bridgingportion of said second mentioned cap element movable therewith to bealigned and misaligned relative to said opening in said first mentionedcap element and a further opening in said flange angularly displacedfrom the last mentioned opening in said second cap element, said meansproviding said plurality of said pockets having in connection therewithcontrol means for its relative rotary adjustment and wall structuredependent and forming with said flange and with said bridging portion ofsaid second mentioned cap element said pockets, in a circumferentialseries thereof of different volumetric capacity, said control meansbeing adjustable to position a selected pocket at a location over theopening in said first mentioned cap element, and said second mentionedcap element being rotatably adjustable between load and dump positionsin which the opening therein through said bridging portion thereof andthe opening in the flange thereof constituting said discharge passageare positioned respectively to provide for charging a pocket and fordischarge thereof.

3. A dispenser cap unit according to claim 2 characterized by acylindrical projection on said first mentioned cap element disposingaxially thereof and said control means rotatably mounting thereof with afriction fit and said second mentioned cap element freely disposing onsaid first mentioned cap element for oscillatory motion, as required.

4. A dispenser cap unit according to claim 2 characterized by biasingmeans stressed by adjustment of said second mentioned cap element from aLoad position to Dump position and arranged to apply a resilient forcefor return of said second mentioned cap element to Load position.

5. A cap unit according to claim 4 characterized by said biasing meanscomprising a flexible spring finger anchored relatively to said firstmentioned cap element and disposing in a slot formed in said secondmentioned cap element.

6. A cap unit according to claim characterized by an upstandingcylindrical projection on said first mentioned cap element providing amount for said second mentioned cap element and said control means, thelatter of which includes a dial member for selectively orienting one ofsaid pockets in a Load position, said flexible spring finger beinginstalled to project laterally of said projection.

7. A dispenser cap unit according to claim 2 wherein the control meansincludesla dial member and said wall structure dependent therefromcomprises a plurality of spaced radially directed pocket walls of alength substantially to contact the inner surface of said flange, thespace between adjacent pairs of pocket walls being differentially filledto very the effective open space between said walls and thereby to varythe volumetric capacity of said pockets which are defined thereby.

8. A dispenser cap according to claim 2 characterized by meanssubstantially limiting said second mentioned cap element to oscillatorymotion between said Load and Dump positions.

9. A dispenser cap unit, including a portion constructed to close anopening from a container such as a jar, bottle, can or the like, saidportion having an opening through which contents of the jar may bemoved, means mounting in connection with said portion and adjustablerelatively thereto providing a plurality of pockets selectivelypositioning to be loaded through said opening, other means mounting inconnection with said portion operative to selectively close said openingby a relative rotational adjustment thereof separately of said pocketpositioning means, and means defining a discharge passage through saidother means positionable at a selected pocket for channeling from saidcap unit the contents of a selected load-ed pocket.

10. A dispenser cap unit according to claim 14, wherein said portionclosing the opening from the container is a cap member through anopening in which contents of the container may be moved, said pocketpositioning means including a dial member rotatively adjustable on saidcap member and having at its underside said pockets adapted to beselectively aligned with the opening in said cap member by a selectiverelative rotation of said dial member, said! means operative toselectively close said opening in said cap member being interposedbetween said cap member and said dial member and rotatively operativeselectively to separate a pocket loaded with the container contents fromthe container to provide for discharge of the pocket contents throughsaid discharge passage.

11. A dispenser cap unit according to claim 10, wherein said interposingmeans is rotatively adjustable to and between load and dump positions inthe former of which it opens communication between said opening in saidcap member and a selectively positioned pocket and closes said pocketfrom communication with said discharge passage and in the latter ofwhich it closes said opening from communication with a positioned pocketand opens said pocket to communication with said discharge passage.

12. A dispenser cap unit according to claim 11,

wherein said interposing means comprises a flat planar portionsuperposmg on said cap member and having a load opening aligned andmisaligned relatively to the opening in said cap member by rotativeadjustment to the said interposing means, said interposing means furtherincluding a flange-like rim portion having an opening constituting saiddischarge passage and angularly offset relatively to said load opening.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE U CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No-3,695,487 Dated October 3. 1972 Inventor(s) Jack Slayton Eugene Whipp Itis certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 8, line 31, "trough" is corrected to read -through Col. 9 line 18,"very" is corrected to read vary Signed and sealed this 13th day ofFebruary 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR.

ROBERT GOTTSCHAL Attesting Officer K Commissioner of Patents 1 FORM90-1050 (10-69] USCOMM-DC OOS'IG-PBO ",5. GOVIRIMINT PRINTING OFFICE:IIII 0-JCC-J34

1. A dispenser cap unit, including a cap member constructed to close anopening from a container such as a jar, bottle, can or the like, saidcap member having an opening through which contents of the container maybe moved, a dial member rotatively adjustable on said cap member andhaving at its underside a plurality of pockets selectively aligned withthe opening in said cap member by a selective relative rotation of saiddial member whereby on tipping said container the selected pocket may beloaded therefrom through said opening, other means interposed betweensaid cap member and said dial member rOtatively operable to close theopening in said cap member and providing a discharge passage forchanneling from said cap unit the contents of a loaded pocket, saidinterposed means being rotatively adjustable simultaneously to trap aprecise portion of the contents of the container in a selected pocketand to expose the contents of the selected pocket to said dischargepassage, said interposed means including a peripheral rimming portionmounting the same on said cap member for oscillatory motion relative tosaid cap member and to said dial member, said interposed means providinga portion paralleling the top surface of said cap member and disposingintermediate said top surface and said pockets, said parallel portionhaving a load opening adapted to alternately align with and misalignwith the opening in said cap member under oscillatory rotativeadjustment of said interposed means, said interposed means furtherhaving in its rimming portion a dump opening forming said dischargepassage which is angularly displaced from the opening in said parallelportion and adapted to position in communicating relation with aselected pocket in alternating relation with said load opening.
 2. Adispenser cap unit, including a portion constructed to close an openingfrom a container such as jar, bottle, can or the like, said portionhaving an opening through which contents of the jar may be moved, meansmounting in connection with said portion providing a plurality ofpockets selectively positioning to be loaded through said opening, meansoperative to selectively close said opening by a rotational adjustmentthereof, and means defining a discharge passage for channeling from saidcap unit the contents of a loaded pocket, said portion of said cap unitbeing provided by a cap element including a bridging portion having atop surface transverse to its central axis through which there is saidopening for communicating said container contents with the interior ofsaid cap unit, said means operative to selectively close said opening byrotational adjustment being a second cap-like element mounted on saidfirst mentioned cap element and having a bridging portion in adjacentparallel relation to the said top surface of said first mentioned capelement and an upstanding flange peripherally thereof, there being atrough opening in said bridging portion of said second mentioned capelement movable therewith to be aligned and misaligned relative to saidopening in said first mentioned cap element and a further opening insaid flange angularly displaced from the last mentioned opening in saidsecond cap element, said means providing said plurality of said pocketshaving in connection therewith control means for its relative rotaryadjustment and wall structure dependent and forming with said flange andwith said bridging portion of said second mentioned cap element saidpockets, in a circumferential series thereof of different volumetriccapacity, said control means being adjustable to position a selectedpocket at a location over the opening in said first mentioned capelement, and said second mentioned cap element being rotatablyadjustable between load and dump positions in which the opening thereinthrough said bridging portion thereof and the opening in the flangethereof constituting said discharge passage are positioned respectivelyto provide for charging a pocket and for discharge thereof.
 3. Adispenser cap unit according to claim 2 characterized by a cylindricalprojection on said first mentioned cap element disposing axially thereofand said control means rotatably mounting thereof with a friction fitand said second mentioned cap element freely disposing on said firstmentioned cap element for oscillatory motion, as required.
 4. Adispenser cap unit according to claim 2 characterized by biasing meansstressed by adjustment of said second mentioned cap element from a Loadposition to Dump position and arranged to apply a resilient force forreturn of said second mentioned cap elemenT to Load position.
 5. A capunit according to claim 4 characterized by said biasing means comprisinga flexible spring finger anchored relatively to said first mentioned capelement and disposing in a slot formed in said second mentioned capelement.
 6. A cap unit according to claim 5 characterized by anupstanding cylindrical projection on said first mentioned cap elementproviding a mount for said second mentioned cap element and said controlmeans, the latter of which includes a dial member for selectivelyorienting one of said pockets in a Load position, said flexible springfinger being installed to project laterally of said projection.
 7. Adispenser cap unit according to claim 2 wherein the control meansincludes a dial member and said wall structure dependent therefromcomprises a plurality of spaced radially directed pocket walls of alength substantially to contact the inner surface of said flange, thespace between adjacent pairs of pocket walls being differentially filledto very the effective open space between said walls and thereby to varythe volumetric capacity of said pockets which are defined thereby.
 8. Adispenser cap according to claim 2 characterized by means substantiallylimiting said second mentioned cap element to oscillatory motion betweensaid Load and Dump positions.
 9. A dispenser cap unit, including aportion constructed to close an opening from a container such as a jar,bottle, can or the like, said portion having an opening through whichcontents of the jar may be moved, means mounting in connection with saidportion and adjustable relatively thereto providing a plurality ofpockets selectively positioning to be loaded through said opening, othermeans mounting in connection with said portion operative to selectivelyclose said opening by a relative rotational adjustment thereofseparately of said pocket positioning means, and means defining adischarge passage through said other means positionable at a selectedpocket for channeling from said cap unit the contents of a selectedloaded pocket.
 10. A dispenser cap unit according to claim 14, whereinsaid portion closing the opening from the container is a cap memberthrough an opening in which contents of the container may be moved, saidpocket positioning means including a dial member rotatively adjustableon said cap member and having at its underside said pockets adapted tobe selectively aligned with the opening in said cap member by aselective relative rotation of said dial member, said means operative toselectively close said opening in said cap member being interposedbetween said cap member and said dial member and rotatively operativeselectively to separate a pocket loaded with the container contents fromthe container to provide for discharge of the pocket contents throughsaid discharge passage.
 11. A dispenser cap unit according to claim 10,wherein said interposing means is rotatively adjustable to and betweenload and dump positions in the former of which it opens communicationbetween said opening in said cap member and a selectively positionedpocket and closes said pocket from communication with said dischargepassage and in the latter of which it closes said opening fromcommunication with a positioned pocket and opens said pocket tocommunication with said discharge passage.
 12. A dispenser cap unitaccording to claim 11, wherein said interposing means comprises a flatplanar portion superposing on said cap member and having a load openingaligned and misaligned relatively to the opening in said cap member byrotative adjustment to the said interposing means, said interposingmeans further including a flange-like rim portion having an openingconstituting said discharge passage and angularly offset relatively tosaid load opening.